Mitsu Yasukawa / The Star Ledger Newark history buff Donald Karp at his office in Newark.

Newarkers, the same as Brooklynites, are unusual in experiencing local pride that they never lose -- no matter how long they are gone or how far away they go.

Having been born here, practiced law here and run a bank here, I can point to so many things that have meaning to me and have caused me to keep my office here. Much has changed. But a lot is still here to visit, enjoy or just think about:

Weequahic Park, which was basically my backyard, since I lived in an apartment house across the street. We played and sledded there and took out rowboats on its lake. I have now even played its golf course, which humbled me as much as when I caddied there.

The Old Essex County Court House (now restored), where as a teen I used to listen to cases being tried, long before I entered law school -- and where I pleaded some of my early cases as a novice attorney.

The Union National Bank Building, at 214 Market St., now a derelict waiting to be torn down. It was once the scene of a bustling small bank that survived the Depression and became Newark's Broad National Bank.

The airport, where I worked one summer for Braniff International Airways. It may be a stretch to say an airport had charm, but that old one did -- even Howard Hughes liked it.

Downtown Newark -- minus Bam's, Kresge's and Hahne's -- is still vibrant and is beginning to take on a new look with new businesses and vigor. Include in downtown the Newark Public Library and the Newark Museum. These institutions made quite a difference; they let us know that there was a world outside of Newark.

Hobby's Delicatessen, which I mention only because one can't write about Newark without mentioning Hobby's -- especially its corned beef on rye!

Newark has been good to me and to my family. My father, grandfather and uncles have had businesses here, and now my son-in-law has made it the center for his endeavors. Vibrant companies have moved here from places such as Linden and Wayne because they see a new vision for Newark. Past is prologue for Newark: I believe the city can and will offer its citizens everything and more that it made available to me, then and now.

Donald Karp is a lawyer, former chairman of the New Jersey Historical Society and member of the Newark History Society. He is former vice chairman of the Independence Community Bank and former chairman and CEO of Broad National Bank.